Thomas spencer



(Model.)

T. SPENCER.

PLOW.

No. 269,734. Patented Dec. 26', 1882.

N. PEYERS Phaxw-Lilhognphnr. wax-hingen. n.0.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

THOMAS SPENCER, OF ATLANTA, GEORGIA.

PLOW.

SPECIFICATION formingpart of Letters Patent No. 269,734, dated December26, 1882.

Application tiled October 16, 1882. (Model.)

1`0 all 'whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, THOMAS SPENCER, a citizen of the United States.residing at Atlanta, in the county of Fulton and State of Georgia, haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements in Plows; and 1 do herebydeclare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description ofthe same, reference being had totheannexed drawings, makinga part ofthis specilication, and to the letters and figures of reference markedthereon.

Figure l of the drawings is a perspective view, and Fig. 2 alongitudinal vertical section, of my invention.

This invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in plowsfor breaking and working rough ground and the object of the presentinvention is to produce a plow that will yield or relievev itself fromany obstructions--such as stones, roots, or stumps-that may come incontact with the points in the line of dralt, without lifting ot' theplow bythe operator, or strain upon the team, thus decreasing andlightening the labor ot' both. A further object is to provide a meanswhereby the plow may be readily drawn from one placeto another withoutturning it upon the side, thereby lessening the drag, while at the sametime the said plow o1" plows may be relieved of all dirt, brush, orothertrash that may have accumulated thereon. These objects I attain bythe construction substantially as shown in the accompanying drawings,and hereinafter described.

In the drawings, A represents arectangular frame having handles B andbeam C, said beam being suitably braced by rods or plates a, extendingfrom bearings l1, midway upon the under faces of the side pieces oftheframe to the forward end of said beam. In these bearings b revolves asuitable shaft, D, to which is adjustably keyed an arm-ease, E, carryinga proper position'until the saine comes in contact with some obstacletoo great for the power applied to overcome. This catch d is connectedby means of a rod, e, to a pivoted bar or plate, j', which in turnconnects byarod, g, with the clevis h, which works by suitableconnections in a slot, i, iu the end ofthe beam C to raise said catchfrom the ratchet or cam wheel c when the plow-point comes in contactwith an unyielding obstruction, allowing said plow-point to turn backand give place to the next, the catch d engaging with the nextindentation or projection upon the wheel c as the shaft D, carrying thearm-case E, makesa partial revolution. The catch d is raised todisengagev itself with the ratchet or cam wheel c by the bolt m pressingin an outward direction against the end of the rod g, or that portionofthe rod or its connection extending laterally through the slot t' inthe beam C as the clevis is drawn forward.

The degree of force required before the plow will yield to anobstruction is regulated by means of a spring, G, or its equivalent,attached to the beam C and regulated by a screw or bolt, k, passingthrough the bar or platef, and bearing on said spring to give it therequired tension.

When the plow strikes an obstruction-say a root, for instance-and fallsback the next plow does not come into action untilsufticient ground hasbeen passed to clear said obstruction, and thus little or no check isgiven to the team or operator, thereby allowing the breaking or workingot' rough ground without sudden stops orjerks, which are annoying to theoperator and irritating to the team, andot'ten break or otherwise damagethe plow.

Should the plow become clogged, or the operator for any other reasondesire to relieve it, he forces down a lever, Il, pivoted to one of theside pieces of the frame, with its end shaped so as to come under thecatch d, thereby raising said catch and admitting of the plowsrevolving, thus doing away with the necessity of turning the plow uponits side, as is usually done with plows ofthe ordinary construction.

A stirrup or trigger, I, is pivoted at its eX- treme lower end to therear cross-piece of the frame A, and extends out laterally' toward oneof the handles B, and up through a guide sleeve or band, [,eucirclingthe handle. The extreme IOO upper end of the stirrup or trigger I isbent, l what I claim as new, and desire to secure by as shown at. n, toextend over the lever H. Now, when it is desired to hold the catch ddisengaged with the Wheel e the lever H, when pressed down, will raisethe catch, as hereinbefore stated, and by pressing` up the stirrup ortrigger I the curved or bent end n will be brought over the lever andhold it pressed against the catch, thus allowing the shaft D to freelyturn within its bearing. Vhen desired to again bring the plow intoaction this stirrup or trigger is pushed down by the foot of theoperator. By lthis action the lever is released and the catch engageswith the ratchet or cam wheel upon the shaft carrying the armcase.

Although l have described my invention as particularlyapplicable toplows for breaking and Working rough ground, the saine may be used forharrowing, and a double set of plows or teeth may he employed upon theshaft, it' desired.

Having now fully described my invention,

Letters Patent, is

l. The rod g, connected to the clevis h, in combination with the springG, bar or platef, and set-screw 7i', substantially as and for thepurpose described.

2. The combination, with the ratchet-Wheel c and pivoted catch cl, ot'the lever H and stirrup or trigger I, substantially as and for thepurpose set f'orth.

3. The spring' G and pivoted bar or plate j and the rods eg, incombination with the clevs It, bolt m. shaft D, carrying plow-points orbarrow-teeth, the wheel c, and catch d, sub stantially as and for thepurpose specified.

In testimony that I claim the above I have hereunto subscribed my nainein the presence ot' two witnesses.

THOMAS SPENUEB.

Witnesses:

J. R. THOMPSON. NV. J. SPEAINE.

